Drinking while on medication

[IUtoSLU]

My wife is down with strep and the doctor prescribed amoxicillin. The doctor then asked if I wanted a prescription as well because I had told her that my throat was beginning to feel strange. So now I'm taking amoxicillin too. Needless to say, I am wary of drinking any alcohol while on the drugs. But this is terrible...how can I go 10 days without a martini!?

I want to be clear that I'm not looking for medical advice. I'm just curious as to everyone's opinions about and experiences of taking prescription drugs with alcohol. Any interesting stories? What is your opinion?

 

[grundletaint]

i think it just makes antibiotics less effective. anything with acetaminophen in it (most painkillers) will wreck your liver. it's a hell of a lot of fun but should be largely avoided.

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

A doctor gave you antibiotics because you said your throat felt a little funny? Find a real doctor and not a pill pusher.

 

[IUtoSLU]

I know, right. She didn't even test me. If it makes it any better, my wife clearly has strep and I feel exactly as she felt 2 days ago.

 

[redgrail]

Why did you agree to it?
Either get tested for strep or refuse antibiotics. Each time you take an antibiotic, you risk breeding antibiotic-resistant strains, which you can then pass on to other people.

Now that you're on a penicillin, do not drink. It reduces the serum levels of certain antibiotics (unsure if amoxicillin is among them) and has nasty interactions with some others. Most importantly, if you DO actually have a strep infection, alcohol will hinder your immune response.

Take the amoxicillin exactly as prescribed and rest. Bottom line is: you don't eff around with antibiotics.

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by IUtoSLU

My wife is down with strep and the doctor prescribed amoxicillin. The doctor then asked if I wanted a prescription as well because I had told her that my throat was beginning to feel strange. So now I'm taking amoxicillin too. Needless to say, I am wary of drinking any alcohol while on the drugs. But this is terrible...how can I go 10 days without a martini!?

I want to be clear that I'm not looking for medical advice. I'm just curious as to everyone's opinions about and experiences of taking prescription drugs with alcohol. Any interesting stories? What is your opinion?


I have been on amoxicillin before (ear and throat infection at the same time!) and drank. As far as I know, anti-biotics don't react badly with alcohol.